Brassiere connecting element



K. VAN LEUVEN, JR 2,608,689 BRASSiERE CONNECTING ELEMENT Sept. 2, 1952 Filed Feb. 10, 1947 j INVENTOR.

K424 14w lE'l/l EN, R

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1952 .Bmssmm CONNECTING ELEMENT, f-

Karl This invention relates to brassiere structures ,and more particularlyto an element for resiliently connecting breast supporting cups, for effectingoutward separation of thecups and thereby desired separation of the breasts, and for adjusting the'cups, relatively. This application is-a continuation of my pending application titled Brassierej filed December 23, 1946, Serial No. 717,941. u V

The mentioned application discloses'a brassiere in which a wire element functions as outlined in the paragraph above and which further includes a stiffener in, eachbreast-supporting cup rendering said cups rigid, yet suitably flexible. The wire element, mentioned, being provided-with lateral loops which bear against the cups and, therefore, against the adjacent portions of the; stifieners therein, laterally spread .s aid ,cups and,,the breasts supportedthereby. Somefriction and wear, on the fabric of the cups results. Further, the outer end of each curved end portion of the wire-element that resides within the cups, also tends to frictionally wear the fabric.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved wire element for a brassire which embodies meansobviating or, at least, reducing attrition resulting in frictional wear on the fabric of the brassiere cups.

l Another object of the invention is t'o'provide My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical or manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes embodiments of the present invention, which are given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a brassiere in use and embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the middle part of the brassiere cup connecting wire element, slightly modified.

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of other modifications.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of the end of each curved end portion.

5 Claims.

YanLeuvemJn,Hollywood'Califl;assignor I t'o'fIna lloakum, Los Angeles, Calif.

itpuaatammm 10,1947,1SerialNoi72Z504 I 5' Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional: viewas taken'on line 6-5 ofFig. 5. 1

As illustrated in Fig. l, the brassierc comprises a pair of similar but-oppositely formed breastsupporting cups II], a pre-formed stiffener insert I l in each cup, and wire means l2 inter-connecting the cups at the middle of the body; between the breasts. According tothe present invention, said wire means 12 is provided with a frictionrer ducing covering l3 for that portionthereofmhich resides outside of the cups lo and friction reducing means [4 on the outer ends thereof; U

The wire means 12 comprises a single lengthoi' wire which is inherentlystiff and yet capable of being bent and having limited. resiliency and springiness. The wire means is formed to, have curved. end portions I5 which reside, insuitable pockets provided in the cups whereby theyeach extend along the. bottom edge of reach. respec,-'

tive cup and are each upwardlydirectedin a smooth curve to terminateat the respectiveupper similar but opposite loops H. i As showninFigs.

'1, 2 and 3, said loops have their endSiBJdirectesi angularly downward; and towardeach-pthbrttp be integrally joinedby av bend =l9 .;at the isymjsmetrical. middle of the. wire means. ;As;shownin .Fi'g'miythe loops l! have their endsnmadirected angularly upward and toward each other-to. be integrally connected byabend'ZI. r L,-

It will be noted that the reverse bends, 1B are common to the several forms of the invention, that the loops I! may be variouslyformedgenerally circular in Fig. 1, somewhat cushion.-

shaped in Fig. :2, and horizontallyfiattened.:in,

Figs. 3 and 4; that the V-shaped-connection 'between the" loops may vary both' in degreeof *size and disposition downward and upward;: 'andth'at the loops may be full as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or merely partial loops as in Fig. 4.

In each of the forms of wire means shown, the loop portions 22, which join at the bends l6, provide means for bringing the loops ll and their connecting parts through an opening 23 in each cup In to the outside thereof, whereby the loops are adapted to engage the outer adjacent portions of the cups to urge them apart as described. 7

According to the invention, the means I3, which is shown as a tubular covering 24 for the exposed portions of the wire means, is provided. Said covering, sometimes called spaghetti is formed of a plastic and smooth material which not only readily slides along the cups during normal body movements, but also has limited torsional rotation about the wire to effect reduction of friction as indicated.

The means l4 may comprise a suitable friction reducing cap 25 on the outer end of each curved should the brassiere be incorporated as part of dress, swim suit, halter, or the like Any suitable J tie, such as a tape, stitchin etc., may be engaged with the bend l9 to effect seourement to a garment.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiments of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular forms of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Havingthus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A connecting element for a brassiere having separate breast-supporting cups, comprising an integral length of wire having curved end portions adapted to extend through and along the lower edges of the cups and to terminate at the sides thereof, said wire being formed with a connecting portion having opposed laterally directed loops adapted to reside outside of and to bear against adjacent outer portions of the cups, and a non-frictional covering for said connecting portion of the element.

2. A connecting element for a brassiere having separate breast-supporting cups, comprising an integral length of Wire having curved end portions adapted to extend through and along the lower edges of the cups and to terminate at the sides thereof, said, wire being formed with a connecting portion having opposed laterally directed loops adapted to reside outside of and to bear against adjacent outer portions of the cups, said loops having angularly directed ends extending toward each other and a bend in the Wire' connecting said ends, and a non-frictional covering tube for said connecting portion of the element.

' A 3; A connecting element for a brassire having separate breast-supporting cups, comprising an integral length of wire having curved end portions adapted to extend through and along the lower edges of the cups and to terminate at the sides thereof, said wire being formed with a connecting portion adapted to extend outside of the cups from adjacent reversely bent ends of the curved end portions, opposed laterally directed loops formed on the reversely bent ends arranged to bear against adjacent outer portions of the cups, said loops having 'angularly directed ends extending toward each other and a bend in the wire connecting said ends, and a non-frictional covering tube for said connecting portion of the element.

' 4. A connecting element for a brassiere having separate breast-supporting cups, comprising an integral length of wire having curved end portions adapted to extend through and along the lower edges of the cups and to terminate at the sides thereof, said wire being formed with a connecting portion adapted to extend outside of the cups from adjacent reversely bent ends of the curved end portions, opposed laterally directed loops formed on the reversely bent ends arranged to bear against adjacent outer portion of the cups, said loops having angularly and downwardly directed ends extending toward each other and a bend in the Wire connecting said ends, and a non-frictional covering tube for said connecting portions of the element.

' 5. In a brassire having breast-supporting cups, a wire element having a middle portion extending between and connecting said cups, said middle portion being provided with oppositely directed loops each bearing against adjacent outer portions of the respective cups, a smooth-surfaced plastic tube on each loop for reducing frictional Wear between the loops and the cups, and said wire element being provided with curved oppositely directed end portions extending along the lower edges of the cups.

' V KARL VAN LEUVEN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

